National Women's Football: Passion to make playoff debut tomorrow night

Friday, June 22, 2007
By Tyler Batiste, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As the Pittsburgh Passion prepare for the franchise's first playoff game tomorrow night against the Erie Illusion, some players can't help but look back at how much things have changed in the past five years.
The Passion joined the National Women's Football Association in March 2002. Wide receiver Jennifer Moody vividly remembers the atmosphere in the franchise's first season being vastly different from the team's demeanor in 2007, when the Passion finished the regular season 8-0.

"The first year there was a lot of newness and excitement and people getting to know each other," Moody said. "We've definitely come a long way in five years."

The uneasiness among teammates and coaches is definitely a thing of the past. Also a thing of the past is the feeling of regular-season triumph, followed by postseason rejection.

The Passion has posted four consecutive winning seasons but only has its playoff appearance tomorrow to show for it. Records of 6-2, 5-3 and 5-3 produced no postseason contests, but an undefeated season and Northern Conference Central Division title this season have the Passion feeling nearly invincible going into the weekend.

"We're not overconfident, but we're confident," Moody said. "If I had to anticipate, [I think] it's going to be a nice weekend for us."

"I feel like our coaches have prepared us well," free safety Teresa Conn said. "The high we're on right now, I feel pretty good."

Conn has the unique advantage of enjoying the team's success from the field and the front office. In addition to recovering fumbles and deflecting passes in the secondary, she also has been the team owner since 2003.

Several other members of the Passion have full-time jobs in fields such as social work, youth counseling and medical assistance, and Moody said success has come from team members realizing the game is a bit more than just a recreational experience.

"It's definitely a strong commitment we have to make in terms of balancing things like family and careers," she said.

Conn agreed, saying the payoff of a possible title in a few weeks is enough motivation.

"It gets to be a lot, but we balance it because it's worth it to us," she said.

The Passion will have to finish 12-0 if it plans on celebrating a championship July 21 in Nashville.

"We have our heads set pretty straight," Conn said. "Of course we have the goal of winning the championship, but we have to take care of every game that leads to that."

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?Jarrad Page, we?re not at UCLA anymore. You need to wrap.? ?an ESPN commentator, on the Chiefs rookie?s weak attempt at tackling the Steelers? Nate Washington in a 45-7 loss.

I was at my doctor's office today and spoke with Michelle - she's totally pumped about tomorrow night's game at South High's Stadium! I'm going to try to get to the game so I can see these warriors (and Michelle) in action!